|
ACPO, POSO-Bantay Dagat nab illegal fishers
Date:
June 10, 2010
Two groups of suspected illegal fishers were apprehended by the joint elements of Public Order and Safety Office (POSO)-Bantay Dagat, Pangasinan Provincial Public Safety Management Company (PPPSMC), and the Alaminos City Police Office (ACPO) in a span of a week.
Fishing vessel marked “John Jayson 777” was caught by the operatives last June 3 while in the act of fishing using trawl fishing gears with fine mesh net about 3 kilometers away from Neto Island at the city’s marine protected area.
Four days later, “Princess Charise No. 15”, was spotted by the composite team fishing within the territorial waters of the city using Danish Seine (boli-boli).
According to POSO Chief Genaro Bacala, “John Jayson 777” has 16 occupants and two of them were identified as minor and were subsequently turned-over to the city social welfare and development office for counseling.
Most of the offenders are residents of nearby town of Sual and Binmaley and Dagupan City, added the retired army lieutenant.
Initial investigation disclosed that the said fishing vessel is owned by a certain Hannibal Regaspi of Caoayan, Sual, Pangasinan. While, the boat captain and boat mechanic are from Cebu City and Dagupan City, respectively.
Authorities seized the 8 styrofoam box containing assorted sizes and species of fish including the fishing vessel, an Isuzu engine and trawl fishing net soon to be used as evidence.
Around 50 kilograms of assorted species of fish were also confiscated by the operatives from “Princess Charisse No. 15” owned by certain Lilia P. Yasar of Dagupan City.
The boat captain, a native of Samar, and the 19 crew members of the said fishing vessel were brought to ACPO for proper investigation.
It was learned that all suspects from both fishing vessels were brought to the Western Pangasinan District Hospital for physical examination.
Bacala said appropriate charges have already been filed against the suspects at the City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of the Municipal Ordinance No 17-1997.
“They (owners of fishing vessels) must have thought that our sea-borne patrol might relax a little bit because of the inclement weather," said the retired army lieutenant. "Well, they’re all wrong. We are always on guard… round-the-clock.”
“This is our commitment to one of the Braganza administration’s major thrusts- purging the city’s coastal waters from all forms of illegal fishing.”
In 2004, Mayor Hernani A. Braganza declared an all-out war against illegal fishing activities in the city’s territorial waters and provided other source of livelihood and extended assistance to the fisherfolks sector.
A noble initiative lauded by environmentalists and tourists alike and envied by other chief executives from other coastal towns and cities in the country.
And is now appreciated by his citymates including those in the coastal communities.
The city residents are starting to realize and fully embrace this program which will not just protect the city’s vast marine sanctuary, preserve the majestic beauty of the Hundred Islands National Park and also entice more tourists to visit the city’s pride.
But more importantly, it ensures sustainable source of food for every Alaminian family in the future. (CIO)
|
|